India Jenkins makes a signature sandwich at The Corned Beef Hideout packed with meat, heat and history. The chef, owner and solo operator of the sandwich shop calls her creation That Jerk. The hot spice mix infuses not only the meat, but a house-made jerk sauce too. Louisa Kung Liu Chu’s memory still burns from that first taste, despite dozens of sandwiches over the years on the corned beef beat. Its intensity will surprise you, given the dramatic draping of layers made with the care of a couturier. Bold yet elegant, it is a statement piece in sandwich form. When you go in search of that sandwich, prepare for a bit of a quest, which will take you about 35 miles southwest of Chicago to the village of Romeoville, through the winding roads of a residential complex, to a community center, and finally a stand hidden within, where you’ll find the shop. Tap on our bio link for 29 more of the best corned beef sandwiches around Chicago. —— Photo 1: That Jerk, a sliced jerk-infused corned beef sandwich on rye bread, at The Corned Beef Hideout (@thecornedbeefhideout) in Romeoville on March 7, 2025. Photo 2: The Classic One corned beef on rye sandwich with mustard. Photo 3: Two Faced Reuben, a corned beef and pastrami sandwich on rye bread. ? Louisa Kung Liu Chu / Chicago Tribune ? Audrey Richardson / Chicago Tribune

India Jenkins makes a signature sandwich at The Corned Beef Hideout packed with meat, heat and history. The chef, owner and solo operator of the sandwich shop calls her creation That Jerk. The hot spice mix infuses not only the meat, but a house-made jerk sauce too.

Louisa Kung Liu Chu’s memory still burns from that first taste, despite dozens of sandwiches over the years on the corned beef beat. Its intensity will surprise you, given the dramatic draping of layers made with the care of a couturier. Bold yet elegant, it is a statement piece in sandwich form.

When you go in search of that sandwich, prepare for a bit of a quest, which will take you about 35 miles southwest of Chicago to the village of Romeoville, through the winding roads of a residential complex, to a community center, and finally a stand hidden within, where you’ll find the shop.

Tap on our bio link for 29 more of the best corned beef sandwiches around Chicago.

——

Photo 1: That Jerk, a sliced jerk-infused corned beef sandwich on rye bread, at The Corned Beef Hideout (@thecornedbeefhideout) in Romeoville on March 7, 2025.

Photo 2: The Classic One corned beef on rye sandwich with mustard.

Photo 3: Two Faced Reuben, a corned beef and pastrami sandwich on rye bread.

? Louisa Kung Liu Chu / Chicago Tribune
? Audrey Richardson / Chicago Tribune